Top artists and tours of 2012

December 26, 2012 4:47 AM

Photo:

Image 1of/21

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 21

Top Artists - 1. Adele. Even though she took most of the year off to have a baby, her album '21' continued to find new fans while her James Bond theme song for 'Skyfall' kept her on top of the download charts. (Columbia) less

Top Artists - 1. Adele. Even though she took most of the year off to have a baby, her album '21' continued to find new fans while her James Bond theme song for 'Skyfall' kept her on top of the download charts. ... more

Top Artists - 1. Adele. Even though she took most of the year off... Photo-3944429.54349 - Times Union

Image 2 of 21

Top Artists - 2. Rihanna. She released her twelfth number one single, Diamonds, and seventh studio album, 'Unapologetic.' (Esquire)

Top Artists - 2. Rihanna. She released her twelfth number one single, Diamonds, and seventh studio album, 'Unapologetic.' (Esquire)

Top Artists - 2. Rihanna. She released her twelfth number one... Photo-3944432.54349 - Times Union

Image 3 of 21

Top Artists - 3. Taylor Swift. Her fourth studio album, 'Red,' was released in October and contained the hit, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together. (Big Machine )

Top Artists - 3. Taylor Swift. Her fourth studio album, 'Red,' was released in October and contained the hit, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together. (Big Machine )

Top Artists - 4. Drake. The Canadian recording artist scored a hit with the title track of his most recent album, Take Care, which featured Rihanna. The music video received four nominations at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards. (Cash Money) less

Top Artists - 4. Drake. The Canadian recording artist scored a hit with the title track of his most recent album, Take Care, which featured Rihanna. The music video received four nominations at the 2012 MTV ... more

Top Artists - 4. Drake. The Canadian recording artist scored a hit... Photo-3944434.54349 - Times Union

Image 5 of 21

Top Artists - 5. Justin Bieber. His third studio album, 'Believe' was released in June, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200. (Island)

Top Artists - 5. Justin Bieber. His third studio album, 'Believe' was released in June, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200. (Island)

Top Artists - 7. Katy Perry. Her 'Teenage Dream' album was re-released as 'The Complete Confection,' featuring new singles Part of Me and Wide Awake. Her 3D concert film 'Katy Perry: Part of Me' also hit theaters. (EMI) less

Top Artists - 7. Katy Perry. Her 'Teenage Dream' album was re-released as 'The Complete Confection,' featuring new singles Part of Me and Wide Awake. Her 3D concert film 'Katy Perry: Part of Me' also hit ... more

Top Artists - 8. Maroon 5. The group released its fourth studio album, Overexposed,' with the lead single Payphone, which features rapper Wiz Khalifa. Second single One More Night stayed at the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 for 9 consecutive weeks. (A&M) less

Top Artists - 8. Maroon 5. The group released its fourth studio album, Overexposed,' with the lead single Payphone, which features rapper Wiz Khalifa. Second single One More Night stayed at the number one ... more

Top Artists - 8. Maroon 5. The group released its fourth studio... Photo-3944438.54349 - Times Union

Image 9 of 21

Top Artists - 9. LMFAO. The group appeared with Madonna at the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show in February performing a a mash-up of its hits Party Rock Anthem and I'm Sexy and I Know It. It announced its hiatus in September. (Interscope Records) less

Top Artists - 9. LMFAO. The group appeared with Madonna at the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show in February performing a a mash-up of its hits Party Rock Anthem and I'm Sexy and I Know It. It announced its hiatus ... more

Top Artists - 9. LMFAO. The group appeared with Madonna at the... Photo-3944439.54349 - Times Union

Image 10 of 21

Top Artists - 10. One Direction. The British boy-band sold over 15 million albums and singles worldwide. It also released its second studio album, 'Take Me Home,' headlining a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden. (Columbia) less

Top Artists - 10. One Direction. The British boy-band sold over 15 million albums and singles worldwide. It also released its second studio album, 'Take Me Home,' headlining a sold-out show at Madison Square ... more

Top Artists - 10. One Direction. The British boy-band sold over 15... Photo-3944441.54349 - Times Union